Borderland of Adventure #76: Into the Palace of the Pirate King

At the end of last session, we left the party lurking in the abandoned temple of the dragon cult plotting their next move…

After a short conversation about how to kill Yorn, Skink decided to go scouting. Over the next few hours he completed a detailed and methodical reconnaissance of Yorn’s palace – both inside and out. Most of the rooms were unoccupied but the canny rogue managed to discover the locations of many guards and servants within the complex. While he didn’t managed to confirm Yorn’s exact presence – the location of several guardrooms hinted the pirate chief lurked in a large room on the top floor.

Armed with this information, Skink returned to the party wherein they hatched a plan to hopefully catch their target off guard. Plans made, they set out. (Gerald and Sir Eril decided to stay behind to guard the party’s escape route). Tzaran created two ladders from the church’s wooden pews using wood shape, which the party planned to use to access the palace’s first floor. Skulking though the town, using little known back streets and sneaking through several ruined buildings, they reached their goal. After a quick bout of spellcasting by several of the heroes, Skink and Krorz scaled the ladders. Both managed to jemmy open their window’s shutters.

Beyond lay a large bed chamber. Piles of rubbish stood along the tapestry-hung walls. A large bed also filled the room and pacing up and down was the pirate king himself! Yorn saw the party as soon as the windows were open and lunged for his shield which lay nearby. At this crucial juncture, the party hesitated and moved into the chamber slowly. Their hesitation gave Yorn time to act and although he was not wearing his armour properly, he leapt to the attack while calling for his guards.

In moments, the party discovered why Yorn was such a renown fighter with a scimitar. As Tzaran and Krorz closed to their foe, Yorn unleashed a devastating series of attacks. In moments Tzaran was down, bleeding horribly, while only Krorz’s orc vitality kept him on his feet. Skink – who had snuck around behind Yorn – then pounced, but the half-orc’s armour turned his deadly blow. With only Skink and Tzaran’s snake nearby, Yorn focused on the unfortunate Skink, who moments later fell to the ground – seemingly mortally wounded.

While these terrible events unfolded, both Gorinar and Ulmo climbed into the chamber. Ulmo unleashed summoned monsters and magic missiles upon Yorn while Gorinar’s timely divine blessings saved both Tzaran and Krorz from certain death. Yorn, now injured, was also not without reinforcements. As the battle raged on, the locked door to his room burst inwards to reveal three of his bodyguards…